PodcastsAlternative HealthHealthy As A Mother

Healthy As A Mother

Dr. Morgan MacDermott & Dr. Leah Gordon
Healthy As A Mother
Latest episode

166 episodes

  • Healthy As A Mother

    Tongue Ties in Babies: Is Your Baby Just Tight or Truly Tied? with Lynnelle King | #165

    05/20/2026 | 1h 15 mins.
    Tongue ties are one of the most misunderstood topics in infant feeding and airway health and many parents are left confused, dismissed, or unsure what to do next.

    In this episode, Dr. Morgan sits down with IBCLC and craniosacral therapist Lynnelle King to break down the difference between babies who are simply “tight” versus babies who are truly tongue tied, why oral function matters far beyond breastfeeding, and how ties can impact everything from milk transfer and nipple pain to palate development, breathing, sleep, and long-term airway health.

    They discuss common signs of oral ties, including clicking while nursing, blistered lips, white-coated tongues, poor milk transfer, gas, tension patterns, and recurring breastfeeding struggles. The conversation also dives into craniosacral therapy, fascial tension, healing after tie releases, timing of releases, and why individualized care matters so much for both mom and baby.

    This episode is packed with nuanced discussion for parents trying to decide whether bodywork alone is enough, when a release may actually be necessary, and how to better advocate for yourself if you feel something isn’t right with your baby’s feeding experience.

    00:00 Trailer + Intro
    00:42 Why Tongue Ties Matter
    02:55 Meet IBCLC Lynnelle King
    05:40 Finding Lactation Support Before Birth
    07:48 What Craniosacral Therapy Is
    11:04 Tight vs Tied Explained
    12:37 Are Tongue Ties More Common Today?
    14:00 Airway Health & Modern Facial Development
    15:38 Early Tongue Tie Releases
    17:03 Why Tie Releases Aren’t a Quick Fix
    18:44 Long-Term Effects of Tongue Ties
    21:06 Common Signs of Oral Ties
    22:24 High Palates & Airway Development
    25:10 Understanding Fascial Tension
    32:32 Can Bodywork Alone Fix Tongue Ties?
    35:22 Why Lynnelle Only Did Bodywork for 4 Years
    36:36 Are Tongue Tie Releases Harmful?
    37:50 Why Some Tie Releases “Don’t Work”
    41:35 How Tongue Tie Healing Actually Works
    44:47 How Providers Assess Tight vs Tied
    46:32 Best Timing for a Tongue Tie Release
    53:37 The Ideal Window for Treatment
    56:32 What Happens If You Wait Too Long
    58:29 Why Early Lactation Support Matters
    63:00 The Mental Health Impact of Feeding Struggles
    64:47 Trusting Your Mother’s Intuition
    65:28 Final Thoughts & Resources

    Resources From This Episode:
    Breath by James Nestor
    Intake Magnetic Airway Strips
    Strolling Under The Skin YouTube Video
    Lynnelle's team at Family Seasons
    Follow Lynnelle on Instagram

    Other Related Episodes:
    Episode #12: A Deep Dive into Tongue and Lip Ties
    Episode #133: Low Milk Supply

    Healthy As A Mother Podcast | YouTube
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    Find more from Dr. Leah:
    Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram
    Dr. Leah Gordon | Website
    Womanhood Wellness | Website

    Find more from Dr. Morgan:
    Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram
    Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website

    Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 10% at Earthley
    Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond
    For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER
    Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
    Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond
  • Healthy As A Mother

    Women’s Hormones, Feminine Power & Nervous System Healing with Samantha Hadadi | #164

    05/13/2026 | 1h 5 mins.
    What if hormone imbalances aren’t just physical?

    In this episode, we sit down with women’s health and hormone coach Sam “The Hormone Goddess” to explore the deeper emotional, nervous system, and societal roots behind so many women’s health struggles.

    We dive into the connection between trauma, stress, suppressed anger, feminine energy, and hormone health, and why so many women feel disconnected from their bodies in modern culture.

    From painful periods and burnout to nervous system dysregulation and people-pleasing, this conversation unpacks the hidden layers influencing women’s health and healing.

    We also discuss female rage, womb work, joy, pleasure, circadian rhythm, somatic healing, and what it actually means to reconnect with yourself as a woman.

    If you’ve ever struggled with PMS, anxiety, exhaustion, hormone imbalances, fertility challenges, or feeling disconnected from your body, this episode is for you.

    00:00 Intro + Trailer
    01:36 Meet Samantha Hadadi
    01:56 Sam’s Hormone Healing Journey
    04:46 Trauma, Stress & Hormone Imbalances
    05:51 Why Women Aren’t Taught About Their Bodies
    07:36 Shame Around Periods & Womanhood
    08:46 Why Society Fears Women’s Power
    13:41 Female Anger & Hormonal Health
    17:36 Suppressed Anger, Liver Health & Hormones
    20:56 Somatic Practices for Releasing Anger
    23:56 Trauma Release & Emotional Processing
    25:51 The Healing Power of Movement & Community
    26:46 Nervous System & Hormone Connection
    29:56 Trauma, Stress & Women’s Health
    32:16 Root Causes of Hormonal Imbalances
    36:06 What Is Womb Work?
    40:16 The Missing Piece in Hormone Healing
    40:46 Joy, Pleasure & Feminine Energy
    42:36 Productivity Culture & Women’s Health
    47:36 Healing Through Dance & Movement
    50:06 Hormones as Messengers
    51:36 Reconnecting to Your Authentic Self
    52:41 Final Message for Women
    54:26 Supporting the Next Generation of Girls
    57:36 Where to Find Sam

    Resources From This Episode:
    Dr. Leah's Womanhood Wellness Membership
    Follow Samantha on Instagram

    Healthy As A Mother Podcast | YouTube
    Healthy As A Mother Podcast | Instagram
    Healthy As A Mother Podcast | TikTok
    Healthy As A Mother Podcast | Merch Store

    Find more from Dr. Leah:
    Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram
    Dr. Leah Gordon | Website
    Womanhood Wellness | Website

    Find more from Dr. Morgan:
    Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram
    Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website

    Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 10% at Earthley
    Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond
    For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER
    Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
    Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond
  • Healthy As A Mother

    Birth Mindset for Unmedicated Birth: Practical Tips & What Actually Matters | #163

    05/06/2026 | 1h 15 mins.
    Birth preparation is often focused on the physical side of labor, including breathing techniques, birth positions, and what to expect during delivery. But for many women planning an unmedicated birth, the biggest factor influencing their experience is not physical at all.

    In this episode, we explore birth mindset and how your mental and emotional state can impact labor, pain perception, and your overall birth experience. If you are preparing for an unmedicated birth, learning how to shift from control into surrender may be one of the most important skills you develop.

    We discuss how modern culture conditions women to fear birth and how those beliefs can show up during labor. We also explore why high-achieving and type-A women often struggle more during birth, not because they are unprepared, but because they are wired to rely on control in situations that require trust and surrender.

    You will learn how mindset influences the body’s natural ability to give birth, including the role of stress, fear, and the nervous system. We also introduce the concept of the "birth goddess" and explain how understanding the intuitive process of labor can completely change the birth experience.

    This episode also unpacks the balance between preparation and surrender, and how your environment, support system, and energy in the room can either support or disrupt labor.

    0:00 - Trailer and Introduction
    1:55 - Why Birth Mindset Is Overlooked
    3:00 - How Culture Creates Fear Around Birth
    5:00 - Birth Is Mental and Physical
    7:00 - Why We Fear Pain
    9:00 - The Missing Rite of Passage in Modern Birth
    11:00 - Birth as Transformation
    13:00 - Why Control Makes Birth Harder
    15:00 - The Birth Goddess Concept
    18:00 - Surrender vs Control
    21:00 - Preparation vs Surrender
    24:00 - Why Knowledge Still Matters
    27:00 - The Role of Your Support Team
    30:00 - What a Spiritual Epidural Means
    34:00 - How Environment Affects Labor
    38:00 - Why High Achievers Struggle More
    42:00 - Masculine and Feminine Energy in Labor
    46:00 - Trust and Letting Go
    50:00 - Rewiring Beliefs About Birth
    55:00 - Preparing for the Unexpected
    58:00 - Staying Grounded When Plans Change

    Resources From This Episode:
    Dr. Morgan's Pregnancy Call Lessons
    Healthy As A Mother Epidurals Episode
    Labor Like A Goddess book
    Rent Tent book

    Healthy As A Mother Podcast | YouTube
    Healthy As A Mother Podcast | Instagram
    Healthy As A Mother Podcast | TikTok
    Healthy As A Mother Podcast | Merch Store

    Find more from Dr. Leah:
    Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram
    Dr. Leah Gordon | Website
    Womanhood Wellness | Website

    Find more from Dr. Morgan:
    Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram
    Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website

    Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond
    For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER
    Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
    Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond
  • Healthy As A Mother

    Birth Mindset for Unmedicated Birth: Practical Tips And What Actually Matters | #163

    05/06/2026 | 1h 15 mins.
    Birth preparation is often focused on the physical side of labor, breathing techniques, birth positions, and what to expect during delivery. But for many women planning an unmedicated birth, the biggest factor influencing their experience isn’t physical at all.

    In this episode, we dive into birth mindset and explore how your mental and emotional state can directly impact labor, pain perception, and your overall birth experience. If you’re preparing for an unmedicated birth, understanding how to shift from control into surrender may be one of the most important skills you develop.

    We break down how modern culture subtly conditions women to fear birth, and how those beliefs can show up in the delivery room. We also explore why high-achieving, type-A women often have a more difficult time during labor, not because they aren’t prepared, but because they’ve been wired to rely on control in situations that require the opposite.

    You’ll learn how mindset influences your body’s natural ability to give birth, including the role of stress, fear, and your nervous system. We also introduce the concept of the “birth goddess”, a way to understand the physiological and intuitive process happening during labor, and how learning to trust that process can change everything.

    This episode also unpacks the paradox of birth preparation: why you need both knowledge and surrender, and how to balance the two. We discuss how your environment, support system, and energy in the room can either support or disrupt the natural progression of labor. If you’re preparing for birth and want to feel calmer, more confident, and more in control of your experience, without actually trying to control the process, this conversation will completely reframe how you approach labor.

    0:00 — Trailer + Introduction
    1:55 — Why Birth Mindset Is So Overlooked
    3:00 — How Culture Programs Fear Around Birth
    5:00 — Birth Is a Mental Game (Not Just Physical)
    7:00 — Why We Fear Pain (But Celebrate It in Other Areas)
    9:00 — The Lack of “Rite of Passage” in Modern Birth
    11:00 — Birth as Transformation (Not Just an Event)
    13:00 — Why Control Makes Birth Harder
    15:00 — The “Birth Goddess” Concept Explained
    18:00 — Surrender vs Control (The Bus Analogy)
    21:00 — Preparation vs Surrender Paradox
    24:00 — Why Knowledge Still Matters in Birth
    27:00 — Your Support Team = Your Protection System
    30:00 — What a “Spiritual Epidural” Really Means
    34:00 — How Environment Affects Labor (Hospital vs Home)
    38:00 — Why High Achievers Struggle More in Birth
    42:00 — Masculine vs Feminine Energy in Labor
    46:00 — The Role of Trust + Letting Go
    50:00 — Identity Work + Rewiring Your Beliefs About Birth
    55:00 — Preparing for the Unexpected (Without Fear)
    58:00 — How to Stay Grounded Even if Plans Change

    Resources From This Episode:
    Dr. Morgan's Pregnancy Call Lessons
    Healthy As A Mother Epidural Episode
    Labor Like A Goddess book
    Rent Tent book

    Healthy As A Mother Podcast | YouTube
    Healthy As A Mother Podcast | Instagram
    Healthy As A Mother Podcast | TikTok
    Healthy As A Mother Podcast | Merch Store

    Find more from Dr. Leah:
    Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram
    Dr. Leah Gordon | Website
    Womanhood Wellness | Website

    Find more from Dr. Morgan:
    Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram
    Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website

    Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond
    For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER
    Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
    Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond
  • Healthy As A Mother

    Detoxing Before Pregnancy: What Actually Matters (and What Doesn’t) | #162

    04/29/2026 | 1h 19 mins.
    Detoxing before pregnancy is one of the most misunderstood topics in the health space. In this episode, we break down what detox actually means in the body, why it matters for fertility, and how to approach it safely without creating more harm than good.

    You’ll learn how toxins impact hormones, ovulation, and pregnancy, and why your body’s ability to eliminate toxins matters more than simply “detoxing.”

    We also walk through the most important systems involved in detoxification including the liver, lymphatic system, and organs of elimination, plus the biggest mistakes people make when trying to detox while actively trying to conceive.

    If you’ve ever wondered whether you should detox before pregnancy, this episode gives you a clear, realistic framework.

    0:00 Trailer & Introduction
    2:44 What Is a Toxin? Internal vs. External Explained
    6:27 Endocrine Disruptors & Their Impact on Fertility
    7:55 The Overflowing Sink Analogy 8:51 Why Some People Can "Get Away With" Anything (Genetics & Drain)
    11:43 Epigenetics — Why You & Your Grandma Are Different
    13:29 The 3-Part Detox Framework: Faucet, Drain & Liver 13:58 The Knife Factory Analogy (How Your Liver Works)
    14:52 The Poop Train & Pee Train Explained
    17:44 Critical Rule: No Active Detox During Your Two-Week Wait
    21:51 Ideal Timeline: 3–6 Months Before Trying to Conceive
    24:12 Step 1 — Getting Your Organs of Elimination Working (Poop, Pee, Sweat)
    26:31 Sauna & Sweating: When It's Safe & When to Stop
    29:17 The Sperm Factor — Why Men Need to Stop Sauna 3 Months Early
    30:41 The Lymph System — Trash in New York City Analogy
    31:46 Dry Brushing, Rebounders & Vibration Plates
    36:35 Breast Massage & Electrolymphatic Drainage
    38:27 The Liver Deep Dive: Phase 1 vs. Phase 2 Detox
    41:13 Cruciferous Vegetables, DIM & Food-Based Liver Support
    42:37 Key Herbs: Dandelion, Burdock, Milk Thistle, Artichoke
    47:18 What Liver Enzymes on Blood Work Actually Tell You (And What They Don't)
    48:52 Bile, Gallbladder Health & Bitter Herbs
    53:20 Castor Oil Packs — How, When & Where
    56:57 The Nervous System as a Detox Organ
    58:55 Social Media, News & EMFs as "Energetic Toxins"
    60:51 Protecting Yourself From Information Overload During TTC
    62:59 The Energetic Sink: Why Some People Spiral & Others Don't
    70:29 Boundaries With News & Social Media in the Preconception Window
    74:05 How to Go Deeper: Courses, Membership & Working with a Practitioner

    Resources From This Episode:
    Dr. Leah's Womanhood Wellness Membership
    Liver Sauce
    The Toxin Solution by Dr. Joe Pizzorno
    Healthy As A Mother Episode #161 - Boundaries In Motherhood
    Healthy As A Mother Episode #22 - Detoxing Before Pregnancy

    Healthy As A Mother Podcast | YouTube
    Healthy As A Mother Podcast | Instagram
    Healthy As A Mother Podcast | TikTok
    Healthy As A Mother Podcast | Merch Store

    Find more from Dr. Leah:
    Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram
    Dr. Leah Gordon | Website
    Womanhood Wellness | Website

    Find more from Dr. Morgan:
    Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram
    Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website

    Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond
    Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond
    For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER
    Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
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About Healthy As A Mother
Healthy As A Mother is a podcast for becoming and being a mother, hosted by Dr. Leah Gordon and Dr. Morgan MacDermott, two naturopathic doctors passionate about helping women navigate fertility, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and motherhood through a natural health lens. Each week, we share conversations and education designed to help you become the healthiest mother possible through evidence-based and holistic approaches to wellness. From preconception and pregnancy preparation to postpartum recovery and motherhood, we cover the topics many women are not hearing elsewhere. Real conversations. Honest education. Support for every stage of motherhood.
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